QB Daniel Jones, Duke*

6’5” – 221 lbs. – 4.81
Has been starting at Duke for the past three seasons. Threw for 2,836 yards, sixteen touchdowns, and nine interceptions (62.8%, 6.6) in 2016, then went 2,691-14-11 (56.7%, 5.9) the following year. Passed less frequently this past season, but still managed to end up with 2,674-22-9 (60.5%, 6.8). Duke head coach David Cutcliffe previously coached the Manning brothers, among others; the offense is based out of the shotgun, in a scheme which features a lot of different personnel groupings and is based around establishing the inside zone in order to set up passes off of play-action from similar looks. Tend to run a lot of high-low route combinations (such as hitch/smash), allowing the quarterback to read one side of the field. Big, well-built quarterback who really looks the part. Primarily a pocket passer, but does carry the ball on some options and is athletic enough to pick up the occasional first down with his feet. Looks pretty sound below the waist in terms of pointing his feet toward his target, throwing from a wide base, and stepping into throws. Will climb into clean pockets when he senses the outside rush. Tough player who can take a hit to complete a pass. Has a high release point when throwing downfield from a clean pocket but is capable of modifying his arm angle to slip screens and other short passes through the defense. Arm talent is okay but nothing special. Gets good air under his deep ball; doesn’t rifle passes downfield, but uses appropriate touch to try and drop in deep posts over the top of the defense. Ball placement when throwing down the field is impressive, demonstrating the ability to hit receivers in stride. Does need to rely on anticipatory/timing-based throws when going deep or throwing passes toward the boundary, as he lacks the velocity to fire balls into tight windows. Can trust his arm too much at times and create opportunities for his receivers’ routes to be undercut. Consequently, looks better when executing the screens and shorter passes over the middle of the field which are Duke’s bread and butter. Might be able to mitigate his average velocity by paring down his throwing motion and improving the quickness of his release; tends to pat the football. Able to shake off the occasional would-be tackler but doesn’t always have a great feel for pressure, causing him to eat a lot of sacks. Wasn’t the most impressive or consistent producer, but is a big, tough quarterback who comes from a pretty advanced offense which asked him to go through progressions. It appears those traits may allow teams to overlook his lack of ideal arm strength and consider him in the first round.